The Stations of the Cross are a devotional practice which can be traced back to the 17th Century. They began as the practice of pilgrims to Jerusalem who would retrace the final journey of Jesus Christ to Calvary. Because many people were unable to make the trip to Jerusalem but still wished for this experience, the practice of making a spiritual pilgrimage developed. The form of fourteen stations along the walls of churches became prevalent in nearly every Catholic Church. The stations themselves can be as simple as the fourteen wooden crosses that we had at Nativity in the past, or they may be more detailed, as the wood carvings done in Peru which we now have. Stations of the Cross are quite appropriate to the Lenten season, as we prepare ourselves spiritually for the conversion possible due to Christ’s Passion and Resurrection. Following one of our booklets, those participating pass from station to station with prayers and meditation at each. The scenes of the fourteen traditional stations, depicted on our stations, consist of the following:

Station #1: Jesus is Condemned

to Death

Station #2: Jesus Takes Up His Cross

Station #3: Jesus Falls the First Time

Station #4: Jesus Meets His Afflicted Mother

Station #5: Simon of Cyrene is Forced to

Take Up the Cross

Station #6: Veronica Wipes the

Face of Jesus

Station #7: Jesus Falls a Second Time

Station #8: Jesus Meets the Women

of Jerusalem

Station #9: Jesus Falls a Third Time

Stations of the Cross Stations of the Cross

The addition of a “15th Station” to commemorate the Lord’s Resurrection is celebrated at the Crucifix. It is important for us to remember the Passion in the light of the Resurrection, with the hope and confidence given us by our Christian faith. In 1991, on Good Friday, Pope John Paul II introduced a Stations of the Cross which is based solely on Scriptural accounts. While keeping most of the stations, he added some and dropped those without a Biblical source. He also added the fifteenth station to the traditional format:

1. The Agony of Jesus in the Garden of Olives 2. The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus 3. The Sanhedrin Condemns Jesus 4. Peter Denies Jesus 5. Pilate Condemns Jesus to the Cross 6. Jesus Is Scourged and Crowned With Thorns 7. Jesus Is Mocked by the Soldiers and Given His Cross 8. Simon the Cyrenian Helps Jesus Carry His Cross 9. Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem 10. Jesus Is Crucified 11. Jesus Promises Paradise to the Penitent Criminal 12. Jesus Speaks to His Mother and to His Disciple 13. Jesus Dies on the Cross 14. The Burial of Jesus 15. Jesus Rises From the Dead

Here at Nativity we have booklets containing the traditional Way of the Cross, The Stations of the Cross With Pope John Paul II, Mary’s Way of the Cross (with prayers and meditation based on an interpretation of Mary’s viewpoint), and Stations of the Cross for Peace (with prayers at each station for victims of violence of all kinds and for peace in our troubled world and hearts). These are available anytime for groups, families, or personal use with our Stations this Lent. A copy of each is on a table near the font. If you need multiple copies for your group’s use, contact Jean Wilhelmi (232-2414) in advance. Our parish will celebrate the Stations of the Cross each Friday of Lent (excluding Good Friday) at 12:10 pm and 6:30 pm. Everyone is welcome to experience this journey. A Lenten Fish Dinner will be held prior to the evening Stations, from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm in the cafeteria.

Station #10: Jesus Is Stripped of His

Garments

Station #11: Jesus is Nailed to the Cross

Station #12: Jesus Dies on the Cross

Station #13: The Body of Jesus Is Placed in the Arms of His Mother

Station #14: Jesus is Laid in the Tomb